
"Khushiji, I don't mean to pry, but... umm...you are not wearing any mangalsutra or sindoor and you are wearing such dull colours! Is your husband...?" she hesitated for the briefest of seconds, "Wo kya hai na..If someone doesn't know about your kid, they would mistake you for just a college going girl. You are too young to be a mother." She added with a sly smile.
"I got married when I was 18...and as for mangalsutra and sindoor; I stopped believing in them a long time back" Khushi took a long breath. Briefly, she toyed with the idea of trying to explain, of sharing her truth with an outsider. But of course she couldn't; so she forced a smile before continuing, "My husband is in US. He hardly visits us once or twice a year..."
"Chote...!"
The shrill excitement in the high pitched voice interrupted Khushi and she stiffened as an unpleasant thought struck her. She glanced at the stairs to see the person in question, her face contorting in bewilderment.
"Chote?" Khushi broke in, startled, unable to hide her confusion.
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